EQC changes name under legislative shake-up
01 July 2024
New Zealand’s Earthquake Commission has today taken the new name of Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tu Ake under an update of the insurance scheme’s legislation...
Regulatory & Government
WA channels cash to councils for bushfire mitigation
01 July 2024
The WA government is providing $4 million to help 27 councils prepare for the next bushfire season...
Senate panel backs advice reform, but opposition demands change
24 June 2024
The Senate Economics Legislation Committee has completed its inquiry into the federal government’s draft advice law changes and recommended that the bill be passed...
Ministers to co-ordinate action on battery safety
24 June 2024
Federal and state environment ministers have agreed to strengthen laws around battery disposal after a spate of deadly fires in homes and recycling facilities...
Rescue service, new bridge receive NSW flood response funds
24 June 2024
The NSW government says a $94.7 million State Emergency Service funding injection will strengthen flood preparedness, including in the vulnerable Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley and Northern Rivers regions...
Sustainable finance roadmap revealed in net zero push
24 June 2024
The federal government has published its Sustainable Finance Roadmap, detailing reforms that will produce comparable information about businesses’ exposure to climate-related financial risks...
State insurer defends handling of building claims
24 June 2024
The Victorian Managed Insurance Authority says it has about 2200 “open” building settlement claims, contrary to figures provided by the state opposition...
'Historic moment' as NSW passes industrial manslaughter laws
24 June 2024
An industrial manslaughter bill has been passed in NSW, the last mainland state to make gross negligence in the workplace an offence...
Last resort compensation scheme makes first payments
17 June 2024
The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort has paid more than $360,000 to seven victims of financial services misconduct – its first payouts since the industry-funded redress program began on April 2...
NZ insurers flag concerns over fast-track planning laws
17 June 2024
The Insurance Council of New Zealand has called for changes to proposed laws on a new streamlined decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits...
WorkCover Queensland fills top job
17 June 2024
Michael Pennisi has been appointed WorkCover Queensland CEO and will join the state’s Work Health and Safety Board...
APRA warns of data back-up weaknesses
17 June 2024
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has urged insurers to improve data back-up procedures after it observed common problems that can hamper restoration of hacked operations...
NZ court delays trial over CBL float
17 June 2024
New Zealand’s High Court has adjourned a trial over documentation supporting CBL Corporation’s initial public offer due to other legal action...
Disaster aid extended for flood, cyclone-hit NZ communities
17 June 2024
The New Zealand government has extended its financial support for displaced residents following the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle last year, and the South Island floods in August 2022...
Regulator finalises operational resilience guide
17 June 2024
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has finalised its cross-industry guidance on operational resilience after a consultation with insurers, banks, superannuation trustees and other stakeholders...
APRA, industry discuss risk governance issues
17 June 2024
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority held a risk governance roundtable last month with the Insurance Council of Australia...
NSW industrial manslaughter reform targets ‘worst of the worst’
17 June 2024
The NSW government will introduce a bill to create the offence of industrial manslaughter and penalise businesses or individuals responsible for workplace death due to gross negligence...
Queensland backs worker silicosis study
17 June 2024
The University of Queensland will receive almost $600,000 in state government funding to research return to work practices for employees with early-stage lung dust diseases...
Labor rectifies ‘unintended’ commission ban
03 June 2024
The Albanese government has fixed wording errors in a bill that would have accidentally outlawed commissions for general insurance brokers and other intermediaries providing general advice...
ICA pushes for ESL removal ‘as soon as possible’
03 June 2024
The Insurance Council of Australia says the NSW emergency services levy on insurance should be removed as soon as possible, as new data shows the extent of the burden on policyholders...